Nigerian singer Simi has spoken out against rape and the culture of silence surrounding sexual assault, saying the scale of abuse is far greater than many people admit.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a series of posts shared on X (formerly Twitter), the 37-year-old artist, born Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, wrote: “Almost every woman I know personally has been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.”
She argued that concerns about false accusations should not be used to silence survivors. While acknowledging that anyone who lies about assault should face consequences, she said that should not derail discussions about the prevalence of abuse.
“You can’t think it’s okay to shut people up from speaking up about assault because some people lie,” she stated.
Simi challenged men to examine their own social circles. “How many of your male friends have they lied against? How many of your friends have actually assaulted women as vibes??” she asked.
Describing the fear many women live with daily, the singer said women often feel unsafe in public spaces and are not always protected even in their homes.
“Ask your sisters. Ask your female friends and your girlfriends. Ask your wives. We’re not all crazy. STOP RAPING WOMEN!!” she wrote.
In another post, she called on men to hold one another accountable, arguing that some enable harmful behaviour by distancing themselves from it instead of confronting it.
“Men should hold other men accountable. Many of you create safe spaces for your friends’ perverted and wicked behaviour because ‘I’m not like that’,” she wrote.
Highlighting her own precautions, Simi added: “I take a pepper spray when I walk outside alone or with my daughter. Do you think I’m scared of other women?”
She also addressed men who feel personally attacked when rape is discussed. “If you’re not a rapist and people calling out rapists bother you, you need to sit and have a conversation with yourself. Because why are you triggered if you’re not guilty???” she said.
This is not the first time Simi has used her platform to advocate for women’s rights and social issues. Through interviews, music and social media engagement, she has consistently addressed gender expectations, inequality and the pressures women face.
One of her notable songs, Woman, celebrates the resilience and strength of women while challenging traditional roles and calling for greater respect and recognition of women’s contributions to society.
Beyond her advocacy, Simi is also known for her music career and family life. She is married to fellow singer Adekunle Gold, born Adekunle Kosoko. The couple went public with their relationship in 2018 and have since collaborated on several songs, occasionally sharing glimpses of their personal lives with fans.
